David Anderson, Realtor

05/30/2026

Recent headlines say mortgage debt in America is hitting a record high. That sounds scary, but it’s only half the story.

According to the Federal Reserve, there’s currently about $14 trillion in mortgage debt in the United States. That’s an all-time high. And when you hear that alongside stories about people struggling to pay their bills, it's easy to assume the worst.

But here's what the data actually shows: mortgage debt is high, but equity is higher … in fact, it’s more than twice as high: right now, homeowner equity is at $34.1 trillion.

Between 2008 and 2013, the housing market was in genuine trouble. Debt exceeded equity back then, and homeowners had no cushion. So, when prices dropped in 2008, millions of people owed more than their homes were worth and had nowhere to go. That's what a housing crisis actually looks like.

That's not what's happening today. Right now, it’s just the opposite. The gap between what people owe and what they own has never been wider—in a good way. Today, they have far more equity than debt, and most homeowners are in a rock-solid position.

Record mortgage debt makes for a scary headline. But context matters.

If you're wondering what all of this means for your situation, whether you're considering buying, selling, or just trying to make sense of the market, reach out anytime. No pressure, just answers. Let’s connect.

Contact David Anderson:
📞 928-606-2316
🌐 www.propertyinflagstaff.com

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.

05/27/2026

If you’re thinking about selling your house, you’ve probably heard you should stage it before it hits the market. But what does that really mean—and is it worth the effort?

The short answer is “yes,” especially right now.

With more houses available now, anything you can do to help your house stand out makes a huge difference.

While staging costs vary, whatever you spend could pay you back big time. For example, if you invest the typical $4k for mid-level staging on a $400k home, that can turn into roughly $18k in added value when you sell. That gives you the potential to net about $14k more at closing – about a 350% return on your investment.

Home staging is the process of preparing your house to appeal to as many buyers as possible. That usually means decluttering, deep cleaning, rearranging furniture, and adding simple touches that help each room feel bright, open, and welcoming.

The goal is to help buyers fall in love with the space and picture themselves living there, which makes them more likely to make an offer. Staged houses tend to perform better on almost every metric that matters when you sell. Staged homes have been shown to sell up to 73% faster than unstaged homes.

But staging doesn’t have to mean hiring a full crew. There’s an option for almost every budget, from professional staging to virtual staging to simple DIY updates.

Here are a few options:
• Professional staging. A stager handles everything from layout to décor, often bringing in their own inventory. Costs typically range from $500 to $5k or more, depending on the size of your house.
• Virtual staging. Digital furniture and styling are added to your listing photos, providing a budget-friendly option for vacant houses.
• DIY staging. If your budget is tight and your home only needs minor updates, decluttering, deep cleaning, and arranging furniture for flow can still make a real difference.

To discuss the ideal level of staging for your house and create a plan to attract the right buyers, let’s connect.

Contact David Anderson:
📞 928-606-2316
🌐 www.propertyinflagstaff.com

05/26/2026

Nearly 40% of potential sellers say they're planning to offer concessions this year, up from 30% in 2025.

As a buyer, the right ask could save you thousands.

When you’re ready to make an offer, this year’s increase in concessions means you could see more flexibility on things like sellers covering your closing costs, adjusting the price, or making repairs.

But what’s worth asking for and what’s a long shot will vary depending on where you’re looking. That’s where I can help.

Want to know what concessions make sense in our market? Let’s connect.

Contact David Anderson:
📞 928-606-2316
🌐 www.propertyinflagstaff.com

05/23/2026

Most sellers come into the market with one number in mind, often the one that costs them the most—their asking price.

8 in 10 sellers (80%) expect to sell at or above their asking price. In reality, only 4 out of every 10 (40%) actually do.

That’s a big gap.

So, why the disconnect? And how can you set yourself up to be one of the sellers that get top dollar?

The market has shifted. There are more homes for sale. Buyers have more options. And that means they’re more selective about how they spend their money. That also means you’ll have to meet the market where it is if you really want to cash in big.
In this market, when your home is priced above what buyers expect, they don’t negotiate. They move on.

Buyers notice price first. If your home doesn’t line up with similar options in your area, it may not even get a showing. That’s when a bad play starts to snowball:

• A too-high price gets less interest from buyers.
• Less interest means fewer offers.
• Fewer offers translate to more time on the market.
• More time on the market generally requires a price reduction.
• A price cut doesn’t guarantee a sale. In fact, some buyers will see a reduction as a sign something’s wrong with the house … even when nothing is.

So, pricing right from day one matters!

Let’s connect to make sure your original price hits the sweet spot.

Contact David Anderson:
📞 928-606-2316
🌐 www.propertyinflagstaff.com